Wilderness Lodge Views

[Bowler Hat Girl]

So I'm trying WL for the first time in November for 2 nights. Right now, I've got a standard view booked. I know I do NOT want a woods view, but I'm starting to lean toward a courtyard view. There are still courtyard view rooms available for my dates, and I'm seriously considering calling in to upgrade. For a WL first timer, what would all those who love WL out there recommend? Is it worth the upgrade? Are there any drawbacks?

Thanks!

 

[Tinkerbell397]

I am a CR fan and would stay there for every trip to Disney but 2 years ago, my husband and I tried the WL for the first time. We requested a courtyard view with a king bed and were given room 5071. The room overlooks the lobby and has an unobstructed view of the pool. It was convenient to the elevator and into the lobby, store and restaurants. There are no drawbacks....it's all good. The boat ride to the MK or the CR is peaceful and relaxing, especially at night. The bus ride to Epcot, AK and HS is short and the busses run on time. You will enjoy the low key atmosphere and rustic feel of the WL. We are going again in September and we will be staying at the WL again. If you really want a courtyard view, just do it. Enjoy!

 

[WLBound]

We've never had the standard view but we have done both Woods and Courtyard. We loved them both. Courtyard has more bustle and activity as you look out on the pool and the lake in the background. Quite simply I found it to be just stunning. Woods looks out on the trees and in our case the quiet pool (I think it was between the Lodge and Villas). We found this side to be quiet and peaceful and it just really fit the theme overall. If you can splurge for the Courtyard for your first visit I say go for it. I don't think you will regret it.

 

[ninjaprincesst]

I would say it is probably not worth the upgrade. We have stayed at wilderness lodge twice with courtyard view rooms, and the view is not all that different than the woods view, th trees are still there. Don't get me wrong I love the wilderness lodge and will be staying there again, but I just don't think courtyard view is worth the extra money.

 

[Voice of Disney sanity]

Have stayed there many times and have had all the views, frankly we always prefer a room overlooking the lobby. As that is really the best view and its way more convenient.

 

[RedDad]

Just something to consider - if you know what to request a woods view room can be a great choice. Some woods view rooms on the top 2 floors facing the MK provide a decent view of some of the higher fireworks from Wishes each night. We loved our stay there!

 

[gaga4disney]

We love staying at the WL......and when we do, we always opt for the courtyard view. Looking out at the pool view is beautiful and you get to see the geyser. Be careful when you ask for the courtyard view, specify the main pool at the desk because they consider the smaller quiet pool courtyard view which is more like a woods view.

 

[PolynesianPrincess]

We've stayed at WL once with a courtyard view and it was GREAT!! It was about midway down the hall on the side where Roaring Fork is. We had an unobstructed view of the pool. We also stayed in the Villas section and our room was the last one down the hall and straight out the room were the trees and to the right was a small service area with a dumpster. Not the best view but we were never in the room. I hear that some of the woods view rooms can see fireworks from Wishes and some overlook the villas / quiet pool. I think with either the woods view or courtyard view, you can't go wrong, especially since a standard view, you could overlook rooftops or service areas.

 

[bethymouse]

No view necessary for me. Just being @ WL makes me happy!

 

[75disney]

I was disappointed with our courtyard view. I assumed we would overlook the main courtyard and rock work or pool. Instead we faced the smaller pool and the DVC building instead. I also stayed in a woods view and loved the tranquility of the view. It really felt like I was in the NW at a national park. I wouldn't pay extra for the upgrade again.

 

[DizneyPryncess]

We stayed at WL in November and had a room overlooking the main pool & geyser. We loved it! After DD went to bed, we liked sitting on the balcony & relaxing.

 

[Bowler Hat Girl]

Thanks everyone! I think I'm going to leave the standard view for now. Then when I go to check in, if they have any courtyard views facing the main pool near the lobby, I'll see if I can pay for the upgrade there. If not, it wasn't meant to be this time. I bet this won't be my last time there. I'm just so excited to try a stay there!

 

[sandheichert]

Courtyard View! From our room on the 5th floor we could see a lot of the fireworks from the Magic Kingdom

 

[ajrwdwgirl]

When I stayed there I booked whatever the cheapest view was, probably standard. When we got there they upgraded us to a Woods view and it was very nice. We didn't spend a lot of time in the room. I think if we had kids that would be napping and I would be sitting on the balcony while they napped I would have wanted a better view of the pool area or something. You might want to take into consideration how much time you'll spend looking at the view and decide if you want to spend the extra money for it.

 

[willtravel]

Thanks everyone! I think I'm going to leave the standard view for now. Then when I go to check in, if they have any courtyard views facing the main pool near the lobby, I'll see if I can pay for the upgrade there. If not, it wasn't meant to be this time. I bet this won't be my last time there. I'm just so excited to try a stay there!

Who knows, maybe they will upgrade you for free?

 

[Bowler Hat Girl]

Who knows, maybe they will upgrade you for free?

It would be nice, but I wouldn't bank on that ever happening. The closest thing I've had to a free upgrade in all my trips only happened because of infested rooms. I'd just as soon skip that type of experience!

I am probably getting a view of some sort now though. I called to check for the discounts today. All standard rooms with views were bunk beds only. No discounts for standard-view rooms, and I didn't want bunk beds. So, just for fun, I checked club level pricing (with discounts) for the 2 nights I'll be there. Thanks to the discount, it was only a total of $47 to upgrade! I think club rooms have woods or courtyard views, so problem solved! (Plus, the Old Faithful club!)

 

[dave&di]

Courtyard View! From our room on the 5th floor we could see a lot of the fireworks from the Magic Kingdom

Same here, Courtyard, Flr 5!!! I was amazed at how well you see Wishes from our balcony!

We loved our view, we were overlooking the end of the pool with the geyser just to our right, perfect!

 

[righttrack]

Courtyard will be noisier than it would be in other resorts, as there isn't a lot of "land" there. I really suggest woods view there, as you get more of the escapism from Florida this resort provides.

 

[Disvillain63]

Woods view at WL is our favorite choice. We don't really want courtyard view...don't want to have the noise from the pool or a view of the pool. We had woods view a few times...always the side nearest MK and 4th floor and above...we used to be able to see some of the fireworks.

 

[willtravel]

Woods view at WL is our favorite choice. We don't really want courtyard view...don't want to have the noise from the pool or a view of the pool. We had woods view a few times...always the side nearest MK and 4th floor and above...we used to be able to see some of the fireworks.

Being at home right now and not in Orlando, heck I would take any view.